Not only doesNew Pokemon Snaphaveconsiderably more Pokemon than its predecessor, but it also features a lot more courses too. There are 30 of them in total, although nine of these are evening or nighttime variants of earlier ones and another six are used largely to housethe game’s mysterious Illumina Pokemon. Despite this though, there’s still an awful lot for players to explore.
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The Lental region in whichNew Pokemon Snaptakes place is broken up into six islands and players will need to visit all of them if they’re to uncover the mystery surrounding the Illumina phenomenon. They’ll unlock new courses as they play, typically by raising their research level in earlier courses and photographing Crystabloom and Illumina Pokemon on each island.
Updated on July 07, 2025 by Tom Bowen:Less than six months on from the game’s initial release, Nintendo surprised players with news that New Pokemon Snap would be receiving some pretty substantial free DLC. It released just one week later, bringing with it 20 new Pokemon, 21 new photo requests, and threebrand new courses. Unfortunately, however, some players may not have access to all of the new locations right away. This guide explains how to unlock every course in New Pokemon Snap - including the DLC courses - while also providing information about research level requirements and how many photo requests each individual course has attached to it.
Park (Day)
ThePark (Day)course will be available as soon as players have completed the opening tutorial section of the game.
Park (Night)
Players will unlock thePark (Night)course after they have finished two runs of Park (Day).
Illumina Spot
In order to explore theFlorio Island Illumina Spot, players will first need to complete a single run on the Park (Night) course.
Side Path (Day)
Unlike the two other DLC areas, players will be able to visit theSide Path (Day)course relatively early on. After unlocking Park (Night) and installing the 2.0 update, Phil will suggest looking for a special tree in Park (Day). If players scan it, the NEO-ONE will shrink and they’ll be taken to Side Path (Day). After completing a run, the Side Path area will be available directly from the course select screen.
Side Path (Night)
TheSide Path (Night)course is unlocked immediately after players first discover the alternate route that leads the Secret Side Path.
Camp
TheResearch Campbecomes accessible after players have photographed their second Illumina Pokemon. An alternate route is unlocked after they snap a picture of their third one, at which point players can switch routes by returning to the main menu and then reentering the camp.
Jungle (Day)
If players have already reached research level 2 in the Park (Night) course, they’ll unlockJungle (Day)after photographing the first Illumina Pokemon.
Jungle (Night)
After reaching research level 2 in the Jungle (Day) course, Professor Mirror will ask the player to return at night to photograph a glowing Crytabloom. After this, they’ll be able to chooseJungle (Night)from the course select screen.
Forest
TheForestcourse will become available after players reach research level 2 in the Volcano course.
Players will gain access to theBelusylva Island Illumina Spotonce they reach research level 2 in the Forest course.
River (Day)
Mightywide River is classed as postgame content, so players will need to have installed the 2.0 update and completedNew Pokemon Snap’s main story in order to exploreRiver (Day).
River (Night)
TheRiver (Night)course will be unlocked as soon as players reach research level 2 in River (Day).
Beach (Day)
TheBeach (Day)course is unlocked at the same time as the Sweltering Sands when players discover Illumina Orbs. Players are able to choose which order they visit the islands.
Beach (Night)
TheBeach (Night)course will become available once players have unlocked the Durice Island Illumina Spot. Completing it doesn’t move the story along though, so players can skip this one until later if they’d rather complete the game’s main story first.
Reef (Day)
Players can unlock theReef (Day)course by reaching research level 2 in the Beach (Day) course.
Reef (Evening)
Before players can explore theReef (Evening)course, they’ll first need to complete the game’s main story. After the credits, they’ll get a message to say that the course is now available.
Undersea
TheUnderseacourse will be unlocked once players have reached research level 2 in Reef (Day).
After players haveunlocked Pink Illumina Orbs, they’ll need tothrow one at the Clawitzer at the beginning of the Undersea courseto unlock a new route. Following this to the end will unlockMaricopia Island’s Illumina Spot.
Sands (Day)
In order to unlockSands (Day), players will need tounlock Illumina Orbsand reach research level 2 in the Jungle (Night) course.
Sands (Night)
Reaching research level 2 in Sands (Day) will once again lead to the professor asking players to return to the course at night to photograph the Illumina phenomenon. From here on out, they’ll seeSands (Night)on the course select screen.
